Advocacy

Social Action and Advocacy are the cornerstones of the YWCA. Since our inception almost 150 years ago, “service” has been linked to “action.” In communities across the United States, YWCAs continue to work to improve social and economic conditions for all people. As the nation’s oldest and largest national movement, the YWCA is comprised of over 300 local associations, regional leadership and a national office in Washington D.C. - - who all work together, across the nation work to strengthen our voices in the nation’s capital and in state and local governments.

The YWCA brings first hand knowledge of how federal level policies and programs affect women, girls and their families in communities across the country. Historically the YWCA has fought for issues such as the abolition of child labor, the 8-hour workday and desegregation.

Today, the YWCA carries on their long tradition in social action and advocacy to meet the twin goals of women and girl’s empowerment and racial justice.

Public Policy

The YWCA of the USA has 7 current National Policy Priorities:

• Elimination of Racism
• Affirmative Action
• Hate Crimes
• Violence Against Women
• Increasing Women's Income
• Welfare Reform
• Affordable, Accesible Early Childhood Education

These additional "other" categories were developed to accommodate the remaining positions.

• Children and Youth
• Civil Liberties
• Criminal Justice
• Constitutional Other
• Education
• Environment
• Food and Nutrition
• Global Issues
• Health
• Housing
• Reproductive Rights